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APC Enugu State Chapter: Who Will Bell the cat?

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BY: Amb. Mrs. Ginika Tor-Williams (Deputy Governorship Aspirant, APC Enugu State) 2019.

The Presidential elections have come and gone, leaving in its trail a lot of dust. Gratefully our Presidential flag bearer, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, emerged victorious in a keenly contested election. Like in every contest there must be victors and losers. We felicitate with him and all APC candidates that won seats in the National Assembly and State elections and give kudos to those who tried but were not lucky this time around. One thing pretty clear is that those that lost put up a good fight and they live to give another shot at it in the near future. To God be all the glory!

Now election is over the question now is: what is the fate of APC Enugu state chapter, as the dust of the Presidential, National Assembly, Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections in the state settles down?

Put differently, what are the chances of APC in Enugu state going by its poor outing in the state where the APC Presidential candidate could not garner the mandatory 25% of votes cast, lost Guber, National and State Assemblies seats 100% to PDP? 

Anyone’s guess is as good as mine but the fate of APC Enugu state chapter is indeed disheartening. As a dedicated Party person, I recall the zeal and commitment exhibited by all authentic APC members and supporters in the state prior to Sen. Ayogu Eze appearing on the APC scene.

The APC family in Enugu state was cohesive and hopeful of a good showing in all her elections until Sen. Ayogu Eze, an erstwhile PDP stalwart and an Abuja Politician, deceived our Party leaders to allow him join the party on the pretext that he has the financial muscle and popularity to deliver Enugu State to APC in the February/ March 2019 elections. Since Ayogu Eze joined the party, APC Enugu State has not remained the same again. His politics is divisive and acrimonious and his penchant to grab everything has alienated the vast majority of APC members in the state which triggered widespread disenchantment amongst APC supporters and hence the poor showing of the party during the Presidential and National Assembly polls.

Going down memory lane, I joined APC out of my desire to impact my community and change the conditions of living of my people whom I cherish so much.

It was a very difficult decision but I was determined to make a difference. I personally spent my hard earned money to stage an impressive open declaration to join APC Enugu in my hometown of Amoli Enyimba in Awgu LGA, promoted our party APC in a remarkable way and this singular action of mine incurred the wrath of AIT TV management who frustrated my ongoing TV programming with them by altering my airtime from Saturday 10pm to Thursday 11:30pm without notice.

This caused me to lose so much viewership and customers which I am yet to recover till date. Finally, AIT increased the cost of my airtime astronomically in order to frustrate me from airing the program in response to my joining a rival political party.

Secondly, in my quest to represent the good people of Awgu/Aninri/Oji River Federal Constituency I committed my personal resources by visiting all the 41 wards in my constituency; visited the LGA Executives of the party in the 3 local government Areas; organized a football championship for the youths of the 3 local government areas; organized an exercise/health delight for women in my Constituency and held an impactful summit and football championship for the youths of my constituency.

Furthermore, I organized numerous other events to promote our party in the state, attended several party events in and out of my constituency and senatorial district to enhance the visibility of our party. All these were at the great expense of my business, which I abandoned for weeks in order to participate in the ward, local government and state congresses.

Needless to say I ran my race for the position of House of Representatives for Awgu/Aninri/Ojiriver Federal Constituency with dedication, vigor and determination only to be asked by the party leaders in the state to step down for another candidate and inspite of my soaring profile as a grassroots mobilizer I agreed to allow peace to reign. However, I felt betrayed when my ticket was handed to an unknown person who had just joined the party with Ayogu Eze contrary to my understanding that the ticket was to be given to the candidate from Aninri LGA. This was the beginning of backstabbing and erosion of confidence, which was perpetrated by Sen. Ayogu Eze and his camp of traitors. At least, if you have an agreement with someone courtesy demands that you honor it and if there is a reason to change same it is only proper that you inform such a person. 

The one that finally broke the camel’s back was that I was informed by APC Enugu State leadership that I was being strongly considered for Deputy Governorship slot to challenge the rival Party’s Man/Woman ticket in the state only to be shortchanged in the process for an unpopular man as the Deputy Governorship slot without dialogue. But as God would have it I was sought after to deputize a man who values competence above mediocrity, Barr. George Tabugbo Ogara. When God does a thing he does not share his glory with anyone!

Since joining APC in the State Sen. Ayogu Eze has never taken steps to unite the party. He has rather fueled crisis and divisiveness, via an unholy alliance with Mrs Juliet Ibekaku Nwagwu. With Juliet who was the leader of the Okey Ogbodo faction where I proudly belong now, Ibekaku was appointed by the Minister of Foreign affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama to attend a negotiation meeting with Ben Nwoye faction so they can arrive at an agreement that will end faction in APC Enugu but Ibekaku in her desperation negotiated only to secure her senatorial ticket abandoning her group, therefore truncated the Minister’s desire to end faction. Ayogu made sure that the two factions in Enugu widened irretrievably. He joined the party with some of his friends from PDP and arm-twisted the party to allocate tickets to some of these friends of his who had contested primaries in PDP and lost before defecting to APC. These are the people now working against our party in the state and causing us electoral misfortunes. 

The authentic APC members in Enugu state were sidelined and dumped by Sen. Ayogu Eze. A house divided against itself cannot stand. It is instructive that when the members of APC reconciliation committee visited Enugu State, Sen. Ayogu Eze was advised to place calls to the aggrieved members and pacify them but he refused because he has been brainwashed with the supremacy of party leaders undermining the strength of genuine members of APC Enugu State.

The Presidential campaign visit provided yet another golden opportunity to Sen. Ayogu Eze to mend fences and reunite the APC in Enugu state but he failed woefully.

The Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama did all that is humanly possible to downplay any feuds by providing over 70% of the funds for the activities yet allowed Sen, Ayogu Eze to take charge as it were in order to create an atmosphere of friendship by attending joint meetings even though we were already in court challenging our stolen mandate at the primaries.

Our resolve was not to wash our dirty linen before our National Leader who also tried his best to foster peace among the factions during the Presidential campaign visit. He succeeded momentarily as we all obliged his request and co-operated with the Sen. Ayogu Eze’s team to achieve massive turnout and well organized outing but that effort was truncated by Ayogu Eze’s and his team who totally failed to acknowledge the efforts of our team and even that of the Hon. Minister but took all the credit.

Sen. Ayogu Eze never launched his campaign and never toured the LGAs of the state. Everything points to an orchestrated plan to foist Sen. Ayogu Eze on Enugu APC in order to weaken it and cause us to lose the state to PDP, record has it that he has never invested in APC even during the primaries because he was foist on us.

The only visible campaign in the state was the touring of the 17 local government Areas of Enugu state by Honourable Minister Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, accompanied by D.G of VON, Mr. Osita Okechukwu and all members of Kwusike Political family, an all-inclusive political platform, brainchild initiative of Mr. Onyeama, where of course record has it that on the first visit, Sen. Ayogu Eze sent his thugs to disrupt the rally meant for President Muhammadu Buhari and all APC candidates.

President Muhammadu Buhari fared so poorly in Enugu State compared with Abia State in Eastern Nigeria. Abia State has an incumbent PDP governor, just like Enugu state and Abia State APC also has factional issues yet they were able to deliver one Senatorial seat to APC ,won some House of Representatives and Assembly seats as well as secured over 40% votes for President Muhammadu Buhari because they carried out aggressive campaign rallies round the state, organized an impressive Gubernatorial campaign flag off, which unveiled all other candidates of APC then they sustained it with vigorous LGA campaigns but the reverse is the case in Enugu State; no Guber campaign flag off, No LGA campaigns, rather Sen Ayogu Eze and his camp are preoccupied with chasing after campaign funds only to share amongst among themselves, smile to the bank and disappear, and wait for the next tranche. They have zero passion to deliver votes for our candidates. The result is what we are seeing today!

It must be noted that Sen. Ken Nnamani also tried again to unite both sides by ensuring that both factions get half of the campaign fund to collectively deliver votes for President Buhari and other APC candidates through agents, instead of acknowledging his efforts and appreciating him, the Ayogu Eze team went to town trying so hard to blackmail him and of course their plan worked, as they succeeded in deceiving Adams Oshimnhole to release the next fund in the tune of over One Hundred & Fifty Million which of course it was obvious that Ayogu used to finally file for appeal against an authentic Guber candidate Barr. Tabugbo Ogara.

As if all these atrocities are not enough, the Ayogu Eze group obtained the second tranche of campaign funds from APC National but yet again neglected the other side as well kept the fund to themselves hence the poor result recorded by Enugu State.

Despite this, I and some members of our camp worked tirelessly recorded success in our polling units. I delivered my polling unit for President Buhari by over 40%(30% for PMB in my Community Amoli,Enyinma  and 30% in my ward 9).

I visited the 10 polling units in my community and 4 communities in my ward with my election duty car sticker and tag and spent my personal money since we were starved of funds but I couldn’t allow, my political family and PMB to be disgraced in my community.

Sen. Ayogu Eze’s Deputy couldn’t even deliver President Buhari in his polling booth, yet he parades himself as Deputy Governorship candidate. Large numbers of our team successfully delivered PMB in their polling units while those with stolen mandates ended up at INEC office in protest ( hmmmmmm).

From all indications, Sen. Ayogu Eze and his team are working for PDP. For instance, Mr. Okey Ogbodo/Ogara faction gave ticket to only APC faithfuls irrespective of their status while the faction led by Mr. Ben Nwoye/Ayogu faction foisted losers of PDP primaries on the APC in Enugu State. Also, Barr. Tabugbo Ogara of Ogbodo faction picked a woman loved by the masses and better positioned to challenge the rival party’s ticket as Deputy, while Ayogu Eze chose an unpopular man as deputy against all good counsel. Embattled Ogara spent so much money seeking for justice (fund he would have ordinarily put into campaign while awaiting support from Presidency).

The Party cabal that supported Ayogu, couldn’t even put in a dime to herald campaign with all the time he was availed and support he enjoyed, Ogara personally provided his campaign office in a strategic location while Ayogu waited for party leaders to donate a campaign office.

Ogara branded over 20 hummer buses months before the primaries with the pictures of President Muhammadu Buhari on them while Ayogu even after he was foisted on APC faithful, couldn’t brand a car until one of the leaders donated 10 buses which he also attached 10 driver to who will everyday return the buses back to his designated location (I laugh). Ogara has been an APC faithful who played a vital role in APC before 2015 election as well as handled and won numerous cases in favour of APC till date while Ayogu on the other hand was in PDP frustrating APC only to emerge a month to primaries to steal our mandate. With these few points of mine, who is still in doubt now that Sen. Ayogu Eze and his team only joined APC to destroy all that we have labored for?

As for those who lost in the National Assembly elections, starting from Senate to House of Representatives, they should have known before that pride heralds the fall of a man, irrespective of who you perceive yourself to be.

They should have consulted widely and met everyone necessary in a zone or constituency where they were seeking to be elected but they were so full of themselves so they ignored people as if they don’t matter, not taking cognizance of the fact that the actual APC members were the ones passing through persecution while the people they are working with (people who lost PDP primaries who were given APC tickets) only have structures under PDP therefore may not have genuine persons to deliver them, so they played into the hands of the PDP moles and of course the result was absolute failure.

Then they went further to embarrass us by constituting nuisance at the INEC office accepting defeat even before results were announced.  I really sympathize with some of the innocent House of Assembly candidates that were sent to war with weapons and that led to their helpless retreat at the polls. 

On the 5th of February, Federal High Court judgment sacked Ayogu Eze and issued a court order demanding an immediate recognition of Barr. G.T Ogara as the authentic governorship candidate and that wasn’t done. When we reached out to INEC on why Ayogu’s name was still on the list thereby disobeying the court order, we were made to understand that it is the duty of the party leadership to send the new names in cognizance to court order.

Ayogu Eze was finally expunged from the final publication of INEC list on the 4th of March, 2019 without inserting Ogara’s name but rather indicated court order/ party yet to submit name of candidates.

Judiciary is perceived as the last resolve of the common man, so I wonder why Party leadership did not obey court order that mandated them to effect changes in the INEC Guber list recognizing Ogara as the authentic candidate. The same party leadership assisted an obvious PDP Stalwart to secure judgment in the court of appeal against a known APC faithful.

Ayogu Eze’s appeal was argued in the Court of Appeal on the 5th of March after which the presiding justice announced to both parties and all present at the court that judgment will be given after the guber election on the 9th of March with no specific date given and that was it. Surprisingly, we suddenly got a notice that judgment has been rescheduled for 7th of March and of course we instantly perceived conspiracy.

To further confirm our suspicions, Ayogu who had billed to return on the 5th after the hearing in appeal court and messages sent out on all APC platform that he will be received at the airport (a plan I tag show of shame, a remorseless leader who still feel it was necessary that he be received with bought crowd even after he failed to deliver the president at Enugu polls), he suddenly had a change of plan, moved his return to the next day 6th of March. 

A night before his return, a messages was passed through APC Enugu platform that Ayogu request for their members to converge at his Enugu premises on the 7th of March by 10am while appeal court judgment was billed for 9am while people should also be at the airport to receive him, they added that there will be lots of gift items. However this amounts to a clear case of preempting the ruling of the court judgment before it was delivered.

Lo and behold, his people received him at the airport on the 6th of March and they went straight to his home where they held a meeting to boycott Saturday’s election. Well they gathered at his residence on the 7th and immediately after the judgment was given in their favour with note that it was due to technicalities and not by merit, they swung into action and marched to INEC to constitute another show of shame; in fact this time with evil intent of indicting an innocent rector. 

What a shame, Ayogu Eze! What have we done to deserve this from you? Ogara was the one who sent a message to all APC Enugu platforms informing everyone that Ayogu Eze’s appeal was successful, yet Ayogu up till now haven’t thought it wise to place a call to Ogara even after so many APC members especially from his team have openly advised him to do so.

What height of pride and inhumane attitude? Yet he is being assisted by our supposed National Chairman of APC, Adams! Now Adams let me ask you, are leaders allowed to take sides the way you do? Secondly have you ever made effort to call on the two Guber candidates to foster peace and it fails? Why do you have to disobey High Court order?

Why are you supporting a man that has never invested a dime against those that have invested so much to promote APC? What kind of leader are you, that with your experience in politics, you have to believe fabricated lies against an APC faithful and acting upon that?

Now that Ayogu has finally brought us shame, instead of us to allow the moles go back where they belong and start rebuilding, you people still want to rub it deeper on us by your horrible boycott plans, so it’s now all about Ayogu right? Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly hundred percent won by PDP, of what justification will Ayogu win election here in Enugu and even if you are planning to rig, how do you intend to defend such result?

Please, channel the guber campaign fund to rebuilding APC Enugu State because a ‘ruler’ like Ayogu Eze lack the leadership qualities to lead aright. Please don’t foist an inconsiderate ruler on innocent people of Enugu State; Tabugbo Ogara would have been a better option. I have encountered these two men and God can bear me witness that Ayogu will be worse than Rochas Okorocha. How can he sneak into our party, steal our mandate as well as snatched from over 60 percent of it from our worthy party faithfuls without dialogue?

Who will save APC ENUGU State? This question remains unanswered but the tough keep going.

GrassRoots.ng is on a critical mission; to objectively and honestly represent the voice of ‘grassrooters’ in International, Federal, State and Local Government fora; heralding the achievements of political and other leaders and investors alike, without discrimination. This daily, digital news publication platform serves as the leading source of up-to-date information on how people and events reflect on the global community. The pragmatic articles reflect on the life of the community people, covering news/current affairs, business, technology, culture and fashion, entertainment, sports, State, National and International issues that directly impact the locals.

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Tinubu The Audacity To Hope – Two Years After

Article Written By Segun Adeleye

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

The second year has gone since Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was sworn in as the President of Nigeria, which translates to half of his tenure already spent!

At the first anniversary, the thinking in some quarters was that one year was too short to access the performance of any government. But now that it’s half of the tenure and behind the scene networking for him to return for the second term is in full gear, a comprehensive assessment should better be done now by anyone that cares or never.

Surprisingly, there is no meeting point between the two opinions on the performance of the President so far, and it seems there will never be a convergence, with those that are against him having nothing good to point at as achievement, while those in support are ready to sing his praise to the heavens.

Those on the left pole as expected are from the camp of the opposition parties who are yet and may not be able to cross to the ruling party, and of course millions of citizens who are negatively hit by the president’s economic policies in the last two years. It has been very difficult for many to comprehend why government cannot banish an extreme hardship that has even surpassed what they saw when they thought there could never be a worse clueless leadership in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s political system is yet to have a measurement mechanism where the performances of the leaders and the mood of the populace can be gauged as we see in many advanced democracies where opinion polls on leaders are released from time to time, and they are taken seriously, like a mirror to know the possibilities in future elections.

THE NAY SAYERS

The voice of those who seem to be discontented with the way things are going in the country no doubt is the loudest. The hardship voice is so loud in every corner such that if public opinion counts and if there is a remote possibility of having a free and fair election in the country, one would say that the President and his ruling party will be having sleepless nights.

It will be interesting to see anyone that can swear that there is a free and fair election in Nigeria. I believe the closest to a consensus will be that candidates will rig and win where they are popular. This can explain why some supporters will sing ‘ba tie dibo, oti wole’ (even if we don’t vote, you have won) during electioneering campaigns or the audacity that the PDP had then to boast that it will rule for 60 years.

The loud voice of discontentment in the last two years stems from  the removal of fuel subsidies, Naira depreciation, spiraling inflation as high energy and food costs eroded the purchasing power of most Nigerians.

In the opinion of the former Vice President Atiku Abubarka who is occupying the extreme end of the opposition, in two years, the Tinubu’s administration has proven to be one of the most incompetent, disconnected, and anti-people governments in Nigeria’s democratic history.

He claimed a disregard for transparency, accountability, and responsible leadership, saying the government has not only deepened poverty, but set new records in wasteful public spending.

Pointing out that Nigeria’s total public debt in two years skyrocketed from 150 per cent to N144 trillion when compared to those of state governments where debt levels dropped from N5.86 trillion to N3.97 trillion, he concluded that Tinubu administration was the primary driver of Nigeria’s debt crisis.

His former boss, Former President Olusegun Obasanjo also shared same sentiment as he was quoted to have written in his book, Nigeria: Past and Future, that the Lagos-Calabar highway typifies waste and corruption.

He was quoted as saying, “Typical examples of waste, corruption and misplaced priority are the murky Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road on which the President had turned deaf ears to protests and the new Vice-President’s official residence built at a cost of N21 billion in the time of economic hardship to showcase the administration hitting the ground running and to show the importance of the office of the Vice-President. What small minds!”

Atiku’s political party, the PDP is also singing the same song while urging Tinubu to urgently address the issue of insecurity, reverse all economically suffocating policies and check the wholesale corruption, greed, unbridled profligacy, reckless misdirection of resources, arrogance in failure and totalitarian tendencies in his administration, which has shown itself as anti-people and impervious to the suffering of Nigerians.

Mr. Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party  has always been critical of President Tinubu’s administration, particularly on economic issues. He had expressed concerns about the country’s economic downturn, highlighting a significant decrease in GDP from $477 billion to $252 billion, which dropped the country from the biggest economy in Africa to number four.

SIMPLY THE BEST?

But in a sharp contrast, those that could see with the same lenses as the President, particularly those in the organised private sector are happy with what they are seeing so far.

Ironically, the removal of fuel subsidy which many are lamenting about is what the President’s admirers have embraced as one of his best achievements so far.

They believe that Tinubu’s economic reforms are promising despite being tough on Nigerians and businesses as they see positivities in the  fuel subsidy and foreign exchange rate unification; Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative to save over N2 trillion monthly by cutting petrol imports; Billions approved for the Student Loan Scheme; significant increase in government revenue with  funds being channeled into large-scale infrastructure projects; rise in oil production; over $500 million in foreign direct investments; other social intervention programmes which include  over N200 billion allocated to the newly established Consumer Credit Corporation;  N570 billion disbursed to states for livelihood support; new national minimum wage to N70,000; increasing NYSC allowances to N77,000; tariff waivers on food and pharmaceutical imports among others.

Abdul Samad Rabiu the Founder and Chairman, BUA Group in an interview listed what the administration had done right to include the removal of the fuel subsidy which he said was the biggest economic scam in our history. He said the administration unified the foreign exchange market and restored stability, fairness, and confidence in the economy.

“These are the foundations of growth. Nigeria is full of potential. With the right leadership, which we now have, there is no limit to what we can achieve,” Rabiu said.

The Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote also shared the same view with Rabiu as he described Tinubu as a visionary leader, saying one of the Tinubu administration’s most transformative initiatives is the Naira for Crude Policy.

He said that the policy stood out as a clear testament to the administration’s commitment to economic recovery and national sovereignty.

He said, “This bold policy has enabled us to reduce product prices consistently and guarantee availability for the overall benefit of Nigerians. It has also helped significantly in stabilising the prices of petrol, diesel, jet fuel, LPG, and polypropylene to their lowest levels ever. The effect of this development is the stabilisation of our currency, a critical element in the development of economic policy and budgeting by businesses.”

He also lauded the administration’s Nigeria First Policy, which aimed to drastically reduce reliance on foreign goods and services, prioritising local patronage in investment decisions, business operations, and consumption habits.

Anambra State governor, Prof Charles Soludo from an opposition party also joined the camp of those that believed that Tinubu had been outstanding in the last two years. He said the President’s bold and visionary economic reform policies, have positioned the country on a trajectory of sustainable growth and development, despite temporary setbacks.

He said President Tinubu’s game-changing initiatives, including the removal of fuel subsidies, foreign exchange reforms, and significant investments in infrastructure development, demonstrate his decisive commitment to building a prosperous nation.

MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE

As expected, the administration has not been slack at defending its record with the President dismissing critics of his legacy projects for being ignorant about how the government awarded them to contractors.

The President will be right if he borrows the phrase ‘man shall not live by bread alone’ to defend his administration’s thirst for legacy projects if one should reflect on the past when the country was turned into the dumping ground for imported products with strategic infrastructures left undeveloped.

The administration no doubt has been bullish and performed beyond expectations on infrastructure development if one should reflect on the time that these projects were conceived, like the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway which was said to have been envisioned 47 years ago under the Shagari administration.

Another area where one can argue that the President has also surpassed expectation is the quality of appointment into strategic agencies as he did away with the past culture of mediocre in high places. I had in one of my early series, ‘If I were Tinubu: Setting a Tinubunomic agenda’, wrote that “ The President will need the right professionals to run the oil industry. Specifically, there will be a need for a total overhaul of the system. The new NNPC Limited should be made to advertise the positions of its CEO and other top directors to attract the right professionals from all over the world.”

When the President initially retained the old management of the NNPCL, I had thought that could only happen because he had seen what people from outside could not see. But the dramatic replacement of the management and board which could pass for a corporate coup has been applauded in many quarters as the right thing to do.

On sports, while the Tinubu’s administration has been commended for its development initiatives, particularly the reinstatement of the National Sports Commission (NSC) as the governing body for sports along with the timely payment of bonuses and allowances to athletes, its yet to be seen when these will translate to Nigeria winning medals in international events.

With the government also deserving credit for the bold tax reform agenda which is expected to become more pronounced when the new tax bills are signed into laws, it’s not also too difficult to identify the areas where hope is still hanging in the balance.

For instance, the claim of a repositioned health sector despite all odds has not been felt by a large segment of the masses, so also the initiatives to boost local food production, support farmers, and stabilise food prices have not yielded recognisable results, as the level of hunger in the land is still at the extreme.

Moreover, the government has not been convincing with its programmes to improve electricity supply as the grid keep on suffering multiple collapses, with most people still living with poor supply despite increase in tariff.

Also the blue economy that raised so much hope with the creation of the Marine and Blue Economy ministry has not lived up to the billing, with no sign of definite direction to harness the huge potential in the sector.

While the road infrastructure where huge resources have been committed also hold great prospect for the country, it is understandable that the impact may not be felt in the next one or two years.

TINUBU UNSTOPABLE?

Going forward, it will be difficult to expect any dramatic change in the posture of the president for the rest of his term, more so when the groundwork for his reelection has started.

By now, most Nigerians would have formed their opinions about who the president is, yet no one can absolutely boast that they know him. To say that he is stubborn or brave would be an understatement. Like a script in a mafia book, he has plotted his ways through the political trench to built a cult of followership and emerged as the most powerful and influential leader Nigeria has ever seen. His influence in the National Assembly is overwhelming, which would make it possible for him to push his agenda either legislatively or through Executive Orders. Unlike Obasanjo who would have instigated crisis in order to uproot their leadership as he would not like to share the limelight with anyone, Tinubu has allowed them the room to breath while pulling the string behind the scene to get his ways.

In a congratulatory message to the President on the second anniversary in office, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio said Tinubu had restored the hope of Nigerians for a viable and sustainable nation through transformative and courageous leadership… he had placed Nigeria on a solid developmental pedestal using the Renewed Hope Agenda as his policy thrust.

There may be likelihood of positivities in the enormous power that the President has amassed if positively deployed as the case of Lee Kuan Yew, the Singapore’s first Prime Minister who transformed his nation from a developing country to a developed one through visionary leadership and pragmatic policies between 1959 and 1990. If Tinubu can push through his legacy projects and other reforms, he could achieve the feet of Yew with Nigeria. However, since he is human and as absolute power corrupts, the fear of abuse cannot be overlooked.

The opposition parties that could give him a run for his money are currently in a disarray. One will be expecting more manoeuvring to weakening them and lure away their remaining prominent leaders in the coming months, which will make victory look very obvious for the President in 2027 even if the masses are crying murder.

The minister of Finance and coordinating minister of the Economy, Wale Edun told foreign investors few months ago  that the government through its veracious reforms had laid the foundation that would make the country the desired destination for private investors, saying the country is on the road to 7 per cent annual growth, while the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, similarly said Nigeria’s economy is on a path of stabilisation and recovery following months of tough but necessary reforms.

With assurances like these coming from government officials while the opposition parties are at disarray with defection waves sweeping through the South South up to the North, Nigerians can only buckle up for the rough ride that may  go beyond 2027, with hope and prayer that light will eventually come at the end of the tunnel.

*Segun Adeleye is the President/CEO, World Stage Limited, the publisher of WorldStage Newsonline. He is the author of Tinubu The Audacity To Hope, So Long Too Long Nigeria among others.

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Atiku Abubakar’s Coalition on a Path to Failure after Struggles

By: Prof. Ojo Emmanuel Ademola

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Atiku Abubakar

In Nigeria’s political landscape, Atiku Abubakar’s coalition stands as a significant challenger to the status quo but faces challenges like internal disputes, regional divides, and distrust among stakeholders. To succeed, the coalition must present a clear economic vision resonating with an informed electorate. Fostering unity, transparency, and inclusivity while addressing internal conflicts and regional disparities will enhance trust and strengthen its position in Nigerian politics.

Atiku Abubakar is leading a coalition of major political parties, including the APC, PDP, and Labour Party, to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections. The coalition aims to tackle regional insecurity and economic issues, which Atiku believes the current government is mishandling. In response, President Tinubu is employing a carefully crafted strategy, termed a divide-and-rule approach by some analysts, to weaken this coalition. However, analysts suggest that Nigerians are increasingly focused on economic solutions rather than divisive politics.

Political analysts assert that Atiku Abubakar’s coalition faces immense challenges, indicating it is “dead on arrival.” Atiku Abubakar’s coalition is plagued by internal conflicts, particularly between him and Peter Obi over leadership and the presidential candidacy. Regional divisions have weakened the coalition, with the PDP losing influence in the South-South and South-East to Obi’s Labour Party. Trust issues persist as members question Atiku’s motives and whether the coalition serves a collective purpose. Amid Nigeria’s economic and political instability, the coalition struggles to gain support and maintain unity, highlighting the need for cohesion to navigate upcoming challenges, especially ahead of the 2027 elections.

Public opinion plays a crucial role in the success of political coalitions like Atiku Abubakar’s, influencing political dynamics significantly. Support from the public can enhance a coalition’s credibility and momentum, making it a stronger alternative to the current government. As politicians are attuned to public sentiment, aligning coalition goals with public concerns can motivate them to join or support the coalition. Positive public opinion leads to greater media coverage and supporters while mobilising essential resources for campaign efforts. Ultimately, electoral success depends on the coalition’s ability to connect with voters, making it imperative for Atiku’s coalition to engage with and address public concerns effectively.

Prioritising youth engagement, economic growth, and sustainability is essential for any administration aiming for progress. With Nigeria’s large youthful population, active involvement can enhance political participation, spark innovation, and build a strong workforce. Addressing the youth’s needs through targeted policies on education, job creation, and inclusivity is crucial.

Additionally, focusing on economic development is vital to tackle unemployment, poverty, and regional disparities, requiring policies that promote entrepreneurship and attract foreign investment. Emphasizing sustainability ensures economic progress while protecting the environment; this includes investing in renewable energy and eco-friendly technologies. President Tinubu’s commitment to these areas is key to fostering a more inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable Nigeria.

It’s an interesting perspective that Atiku Abubakar’s coalition might be seen as a distraction rather than a genuine attempt to address Nigeria’s challenges. In the digital age, where information flows rapidly and citizens are more informed, such strategies can indeed face significant hurdles. Here’s an expanded view on why this approach might struggle and what could be more effective:

Challenges of Distraction Politics in the Digital Age:

In today’s digital age, Nigerians have greater access to information through social media and online news, making traditional political diversion tactics less effective. This increased transparency allows citizens to monitor government actions closely and hold officials accountable. The youth, who are active online, prefer practical solutions over distractions, highlighting the need for meaningful policies to drive genuine progress and change.

Effective Strategies for Democratic Development:

Focusing on economic empowerment through sustainable initiatives such as job creation, small business support, and investment in technology can significantly improve citizens’ well-being. Enhancing education and skills for youth prepares them for the job market and strengthens the economy. Inclusive governance that addresses regional disparities fosters national unity and stability. Additionally, promoting environmental sustainability through green technologies and renewable energy ensures long-term prosperity and a healthier future for everyone.

Inspiring Examples:

Digital innovation has transformed governance and public services in Estonia, highlighting transparency and efficiency. Nigeria should adopt similar strategies to enhance its performance. Youth-led initiatives are crucial for economic growth and support young entrepreneurs. The tech industry in Nigeria is booming, with start-ups gaining global recognition.

Community engagement is vital for effective political movements, requiring grassroots involvement to address diverse needs. Leaders who connect with communities foster strong support, essential for successful governance. Nigeria can build a brighter future by embracing innovation, empowering youth, and engaging communities.

Distraction politics may have worked in the past, but the digital age requires more transparency. By focusing on real solutions and engaging with an informed electorate, leaders can foster democratic development and a brighter future for Nigeria.

Atiku Abubakar and his coalition have faced challenges in developing winning strategies. Let’s examine some democratic perspectives on the reasons behind this and potential alternatives.

Challenges Faced by Atiku Abubakar and His Coalition:

Progress in Nigeria’s political landscape hinges on overcoming formidable hurdles such as the lack of a unified vision, deep-rooted trust deficits, and intricate regional and ethnic divides. The coalition must navigate complex agendas and historical disappointments to present a cohesive front and inspire confidence among voters. Addressing Nigeria’s diverse societal scope requires inclusive strategies that bridge demographic disparities and deliver tangible solutions to pressing economic and social woes. By forging a unified vision, rebuilding trust, and fostering cohesion among varied communities, the coalition can chart a path towards transformative change and sustainable development in the nation.

Engaging Democratic Views:

To succeed, a coalition must first establish a unified vision that transcends individual ambitions and resonates with the broader public. Rebuilding trust is key, requiring transparency, accountability, and consistent communication to demonstrate a commitment to democratic principles. Inclusivity in policymaking is vital, necessitating engagement with diverse groups to address regional and ethnic needs effectively. A strong focus on the economy, with clear and practical plans for job creation and infrastructure investment, is essential for garnering voter support. Additionally, prioritizing youth engagement through education, skills development, and political participation initiatives can ensure a more inclusive and sustainable political strategy.

Inspiring Examples:

Building grassroots movements is essential for a coalition’s success, as local networks create strong support. Digital campaigns via social media and online platforms can broaden the coalition’s reach. Collaborative leadership fosters voter confidence, as united leaders convey solidarity and commitment.

Atiku Abubakar and his coalition have struggled to meet essential foundational criteria. Despite the challenges they face, there are effective strategies they could implement to enhance their prospects. However, various reasons limit their ability to adopt these strategies. Instead, they should foster unity, trust, inclusivity, and economic development. By doing so, they can craft a compelling vision that truly resonates with the Nigerian public.

In conclusion, Atiku Abubakar’s coalition is at a pivotal moment, with the potential to either reshape Nigerian politics or struggle with its challenges. To succeed, the coalition must present a unified vision that resonates with all Nigerians. It needs to rebuild trust through transparency and accountability while addressing the diverse needs of the country’s various regions and demographics. By focusing on economic empowerment, youth engagement, and sustainable development, the coalition can provide a compelling alternative to the current administration. In a time when voters seek genuine solutions and meaningful change, the path to success lies in tackling the real issues facing Nigeria and engaging the public in a transparent and inclusive manner.

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Insecurity In Zamfara – Hold Lawal Accountable, Not Matawalle

Writes Nasiru Aliyu, Media Advisor to the Hon. Minister

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Zamfara and Bandits

The recent protest organized by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Akida Forum raises significant questions about political motivations and accountability.

Led by Musa Mahmoud the APC AKIDA group staged a demonstration at the Abuja headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS), demanding an investigation into the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, amid allegations linking him to banditry in the state.

The protest, predominantly featuring hired women and youths from Abuja, was framed as a response to escalating security concerns in Zamfara.

However, the underlying motives appear to be rooted in political rivalry rather than genuine concern for public safety.

The leader of the APC Akida Forum Tijjani Ramallan claims that Governor Dauda Lawal has accused Matawalle of collusion with bandits, suggesting that such ties have perpetuated the insecurity plaguing the region.

A critical point overlooked by Mahmoud and his supporters is that Matawalle is no longer the executive governor of Zamfara.

The current governor, Dauda Lawal, now holds the title of the state’s chief security officer, and therefore, he bears the primary responsibility for addressing the security crisis.

Instead of engaging in a blame game, Lawal should focus on implementing effective strategies to combat the rampant insecurity and provide the dividends of democracy to the people of Zamfara state.

The animosity towards Matawalle seems to stem from his previous role as the Director General of Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s campaign in the Northwest, where he played a pivotal role in securing significant electoral support for the current president.

This success has reportedly fueled envy among some political figures like Tijjani Ramallan, including Musa Mahmoud and others who may feel threatened by Matawalle’s rising profile.

It is noteworthy that allegations against Matawalle have been investigated by the National Security Adviser’s office, which found no evidence to support claims of his involvement in banditry.

This investigation contributed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to retain Matawalle in his ministerial position, where he has reportedly managed security matters in the Northwest with professionalism.

Adding to the complexity of this situation, a Kano High Court recently issued a restraining order against Governor Lawal and others, prohibiting them from continuing their smear campaign against Matawalle. This legal development underscores the court’s recognition of the potential harm caused by unfounded allegations and the need for accountability in political discourse and the state government has found an ally in APC AKIDA led by Tijjani Ramallan.

Despite the court’s intervention, Governor Lawal continues to leverage media platforms to tarnish Matawalle’s reputation, linking him to banditry and corruption without substantiating evidence.

Such tactics appear to be desperate attempts to undermine Matawalle’s credibility, likely motivated by Lawal’s desire to solidify his political standing.

The ongoing campaign against Matawalle by Lawal and his associates raises serious concerns about the integrity of political discourse in Zamfara.

It is imperative for the public to remain vigilant against misleading narratives and to recognize the broader implications of such political maneuvers.

The Kano High Court’s ruling serves as a reminder of the importance of due process and the need for responsible governance.

In conclusion, the focus of accountability in Zamfara should shift towards Governor Dauda Lawal, who now holds the reins of security in the state.

Instead of casting blame on former officials, Lawal must take ownership of the security situation and work towards tangible solutions that prioritize the safety and well-being of the people of Zamfara.

Furthermore, since Matawalle operational visit to sokoto led to the elimination of Bandit leader Halilu Sububu who is alleged to have died with the treasure of the sponsors of banditry in zamfara state, the pain propelled them to further embark on campaign of calumny.

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